Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the afternoon of September 30, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Luke Lindberg, under secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the United States Department of Agriculture. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taiwanese businesses plan to purchase US$10 billion of American agricultural products over the next four years, which will boost the efficiency of Taiwan’s livestock industry and enhance its food security. The president expressed hope of utilizing Taiwan’s advantages in the high-tech industry to strengthen cooperation between Taiwan and the US in agricultural technology innovation and food security and resilience, fostering an even more mutually beneficial partnership.  A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: It is a pleasure to once again welcome Under Secretary Lindberg, a good friend of Taiwan, just a year after his previous visit. Taiwan’s agricultural trade goodwill mission just concluded its visit to the US. And now, we are meeting with Under Secretary Lindberg and his delegation of dozens of industry representatives, highlighting the deep friendship and close partnership between Taiwan and the US. I extend a sincere welcome to our guests and applaud this step forward in Taiwan-US trade exchanges. Taiwan is currently the seventh-largest trade partner of the US and its seventh-largest export market for agricultural products. The US has also become Taiwan’s largest investment destination and largest market for agricultural exports. All of this goes to show that, in trade and the agricultural sector, Taiwan and the US are interdependent and enjoy close collaboration. This month, Taiwan’s agricultural mission visited Washington, DC, and several agricultural states, including South Dakota, Under Secretary Lindberg’s home state. This demonstrated that Taiwan is determined to continue elevating the Taiwan-US trade partnership. During the trip, industry representatives from Taiwan and the US signed procurement letters of intent. Taiwanese businesses plan to purchase US$10 billion of American agricultural products, including soybeans, wheat, corn, and beef, over the next four years. We anticipate that importing high-quality raw materials for animal feed will boost the efficiency of Taiwan’s livestock industry. And US agricultural products can also enhance Taiwan’s food security. Taiwan is also a reliable and important partner to the US in technology. Looking forward, we hope to utilize Taiwan’s advantages in the high-tech industry to strengthen cooperation between Taiwan and the US in agricultural technology innovation and food security and resilience. Taiwan faces geopolitical risks and challenges as it is situated on the first island chain in the Indo-Pacific and serves as a crucial hub for global non-red supply chains. I believe that regional neighbors and like-minded countries must join hands to safeguard global peace, stability, and prosperity. This delegation led by Under Secretary Lindberg not only contributes to mutual prosperity in agricultural trade across the public and private sectors, it also symbolizes the firm and steady steps by which we are deepening the strategic and economic partnership between Taiwan and the US. Let us continue to work together to strengthen Taiwan-US relations and contribute even more to global prosperity. Under Secretary Lindberg then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for having them here today. He then expressed their sincere best wishes to all of the people in Taiwan who were impacted by Super Typhoon Ragasa. He mentioned that their delegation, consisting of 25 US businesses, is here to help sell US agricultural products and build continued relationships in Taiwan. He also noted that it is a particularly exciting time of year to be here in Taiwan to celebrate the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, which is a time of cultural importance here in Taiwan.  Under Secretary Lindberg thanked Taiwanese consumers for continuing to purchase American agricultural products, adding that roughly 25 percent of the food that is imported into Taiwan is from the US, contributing to Taiwan’s food security. As a friend of Taiwan, he said, the US is also committed to Taiwan’s resilience through energy security.  Mentioning the recent goodwill mission that Taiwan’s minister of agriculture led to the US last week, Under Secretary Lindberg said that he comes as well with some goodwill for the Taiwanese people, explaining that they have decided to take the next step in allowing Taiwanese producers of pineapple access to the US market. He expressed hope that this will bring great joy and prosperity to many families here in Taiwan as the mid-autumn season begins. The under secretary said he looks forward to their discussion and expressed hope for continued prosperity and growing relations. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Acting Director Karin M. Lang.

President Tsai Ing-wen delivered remarks at the Agricultural Finance Conference via video on the morning of September 8, where she stated that the government has set up a system of four major benefits to provide more comprehensive safeguards for farmers' rights. The president said that in the future, we will continue to actively promote the internationalization of Taiwan's agricultural sector and create a national-level agricultural export team. President Tsai expressed confidence that through cooperation with Taiwanese businesspeople based around the world, we can continue to expand into new countries and markets to open up more agricultural export opportunities. The president also encouraged the agricultural and fisheries industries to adopt smart technologies and circular economy approaches, and continue to upgrade and transform the agricultural sector. A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows: We have implemented many important agricultural policies over the past few years, as we look to provide more comprehensive safeguards for farmers' rights and develop more sustainable agricultural industries in Taiwan. To ensure that farmers' rights are protected, we have established a system of four major benefits, which includes expanded health insurance, occupational injury coverage, and agricultural insurance. This also includes a farmers' pension system that was officially launched on January 1 this year. Now farmers finally have the same retirement protection as other professions.  In response to the threat of severe agricultural losses due to extreme weather, we have developed agricultural insurance. By the end of July this year, we identified 25 products and established 38 insurance policies. Now, 114,000 hectares are insured for a total of NT$26.3 billion, and these efforts will continue into the future. More and more young people with fresh ideas are also returning to their hometowns, using their expertise and creativity to inspire new developments in agriculture. Through loans for young people establishing agricultural businesses that provide support and extra benefits, we hope to give more people more resources to spur progress in rural areas. Going forward, we will continue to actively promote the internationalization of Taiwan's agricultural sector, and create a national-level agricultural export team. We also encourage venture capital investments in all types of agriculture, and will invest resources in cold chains, processing, and logistics to promote continuous improvement. I am confident that through collaborating with Taiwanese businesspeople based around the world, we can continue to expand into new countries and new markets to open up more export opportunities for our agricultural sector. We also hope to encourage the agriculture and fisheries industries to adopt smart technologies and circular economy approaches, and continue to upgrade and transform their operations. All of these important issues will be covered at today's conference. I am sure that your discussions here will spur even more constructive ideas, and hope you will all continue to share your insights on agricultural finance policies. Let's all work together. Thank you.

During remarks regarding international trade issued in the Presidential Office Building Entrance Hall today, President Tsai Ing-wen said that she has instructed the relevant ministries to set permissible ractopamine residue levels for imported pork and ease restrictions on the import of beef from US cattle aged 30 months or older based on the prerequisite of ensuring the health of our citizens, and in accordance with scientific evidence and international standards. President Tsai emphasized that the government, following comprehensive assessment, has concluded that further easing restrictions at this point on imports of beef and pork from the US is a decision that is consistent with our overall national interests and future strategic development goals. It is also a decision that promotes Taiwan-US relations, satisfies food safety standards, and ensures that the incomes of pig farmers are not adversely affected. The government, she said, will implement stringent safety controls, strengthen quarantine and inspection procedures for imported meat products, and implement food product labeling regulations. She also asked everyone to take this courageous step forward together so that the nation can move toward a better future.   A translation of the president's remarks follows: Today, we want to make a key decision for Taiwan to resolve a long-standing issue. Regarding importing beef and pork from the United States, after rigorous assessments over the past few years, I have already instructed the relevant ministries, based on the prerequisite of ensuring the health of our citizens, and in accordance with scientific evidence, and international standards to set permissible ractopamine residue levels for imported pork, and ease restrictions on the import of beef from US cattle aged 30 months or older. This decision is based on our national economic interests and consistent with our overall strategic goals for the future. Taiwan's economy now stands at a historical turning point. We must take advantage of this strategic opportunity to push past obstacles, find a viable path forward, and embrace new global economic circumstances. As we know, the US-China trade dispute and the current pandemic have brought structural changes to the global economy, and accelerated and expanded the realignment of global supply chains. Facing these major economic changes, Taiwan has undertaken vigorous economic reforms and responded appropriately to control the pandemic. We have therefore not just held steady, but our economic growth rate is once again number one amongst the Four Asian Tigers. The domestic stock market has also hit a new historical high. At the same time, we have welcomed the largest wave of return investments by domestic firms in decades. More and more multinational enterprises see potential in Taiwan and have increased their investments. Taiwan's economy has transformed and we are embracing the opportunities of the future.  Moving forward, Taiwan must become a critical force in the realignment of global supply chains. We have to accelerate the formation of links with economies around the world, and particularly forge a closer bond with our strongest strategic partner and global economic leader, the US. Taiwan is a significant and critical trade partner of the US, and Taiwan and American businesses have close cooperative relationships. But it is undeniable that our relevant regulations, which are not yet in line with international norms, have become an obstacle to furthering Taiwan-US economic cooperation. I trust that if we can take this key step regarding US beef and pork issues, it will be an important starting point for more comprehensive Taiwan-US economic cooperation. In the future, we can develop a more dynamic and vigorous economic and trade strategy. For industries, especially traditional industries, that have been impacted over the past two years by the US-China trade conflict and the pandemic, this is an important opportunity. Today's decision is also one that can strengthen Taiwan's relationship with the US. Former Presidents Chen Shui-bian and Ma Ying-jeou made commitments to the US with respect to resolving US beef and pork import issues. Although both presidents made great efforts under the circumstances they were faced with, they were only able to resolve part of this issue. This caused the international community to question the Taiwan government's ability to resolve problems. The level of trust in our ability to conduct trade negotiations has also been questioned. This not only impacted Taiwan-US trade relations, but has also caused other nations to have doubts about Taiwan's participation in regional trade agreements like the CPTPP, and question our commitment to resolving difficult trade issues. At this very moment, Taiwan-US relations are at their strongest level in decades. Ranging from Congress to the US business community, there are clear expectations of building deeper economic and trade ties with Taiwan, which includes the potential of a Taiwan-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA). This is an ideal opportunity for Taiwan's economic and trade development. However, we must display the commitment to both facing up to and resolving issues. Of course, we know that we still have a way to go before negotiating and signing a trade agreement. But a precondition for negotiations is to rationally manage trade issues, and open up to other countries on a mutual basis, based on the same international standards. Today's decision also complies with international food sanitation standards. The government is responsible for ensuring that all foodstuffs in the marketplace comply with national food sanitation standards. On that point, we will not make any compromises or concessions. Before 2012, there were no international regulatory standards for ractopamine levels. Concerns had also been raised about US beef due to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). We did at one stage have reservations about the importation of beef and pork containing ractopamine. In July 2012, however, following the drafting of international standards and subsequent risk assessments, greater scientific consensus has emerged. The Democratic Progressive Party, the opposition party at the time, therefore adjusted its stance to that, and with the protection of public health as a prerequisite, the government should establish regulations for imported foodstuffs based on scientific evidence and international standards. That was the position I took during the 2016 presidential election. We have not changed this principle, nor have we compromised. However, circumstances have changed. Previously unfulfilled conditions have gradually been met, which gives us the space to decide to further open the market. The first factor is that there is sufficient risk assessment data regarding ractopamine, and ample scientific evidence has accumulated over time. Since we opened the market in 2012, US beef has not created any food safety issues in Taiwan, while consumption of US beef by our citizens has grown significantly. Neighboring countries including Japan, Korea, and Singapore have all opened up to imports of pork containing small amounts of ractopamine. The government agencies in Taiwan also conducted health risk assessments of pork and beef products containing ractopamine in 2012, and 2019. Their findings all showed that there is no health safety risk when ractopamine levels are below the limit set by Codex Alimentarius. In addition, since 2013, the US has been listed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as having "negligible risk" for BSE. Similarly, in 2019 the Ministry of Health and Welfare conducted a rigorous risk assessment and also concluded that there is no safety risk. However, the government is very aware that people take food safety seriously. Regarding future imports of US beef and pork, I guarantee that the government will implement stringent safety controls. We will strengthen quarantine and inspection procedures for imported meat products. We will implement food product labeling regulations, indicating country of origin and providing consumers with sufficient information to make choices. All food product vendors, from those selling non-packaged and packaged foods, to retail markets, restaurants, and boxed-meal businesses, will have to provide consumers with comprehensive information about their products to ensure food safety. Today's decision will also ensure that Taiwan's pig farmers will not be negatively impacted. Please rest assured that the government will not sacrifice the rights and interests of Taiwan's pig farmers. I know there will be concerns that Taiwan's domestic pig farming industry could be impacted after US pork imports are permitted. I would like to remind everyone that, although we permitted pork importation at an earlier phase, currently domestic pork consumption is primarily from domestic sources. Imported pork accounts for only 10%, with Canada and Spain as the largest exporters to Taiwan, so the market share for US pork remains low. This shows that the previous phase of opening the market to US pork did not have a major impact on the industry. In addition, over the last few years, we have proactively bolstered our pig farming industry. This year we accomplished something that every government of the last 24 years could not. Aside from having Taiwan removed from the list of zones with foot and mouth disease, we also successfully blocked the transmission of African swine fever into Taiwan, making Taiwanese pork eligible for export. Domestic pork has a 90% market share in Taiwan and is becoming increasingly competitive. However, we will still go ahead and establish a NT$10 billion "Pig Farming Industry Fund" to ensure that pig farming livelihoods are not affected. We will also work to make our pig farming industry more competitive, allowing Taiwan's pig farming industry to reach new milestones following our success in stopping foot and mouth disease and African swine fever. Currently, our pork can be exported to Singapore and Macau. Moving forward we will do our utmost to enter other markets, allowing our pork to be sold around the world and making our pork industry more internationally competitive. With regard to the importing of beef and pork from the United States, in terms of food safety, our principles for permitting importation are scientific evidence, international standards, and clear labelling. In terms of industry, our goals are to guarantee pig farmers' incomes, make the domestic pork export industry more competitive, and open up to the international market. In the Executive Yuan press conference that will take place shortly, officials from the responsible ministries will explain concrete details and relevant measures to everyone. Finally, I want to once again emphasize that we have conducted a comprehensive assessment and concluded that further easing restrictions at this point on imports of beef and pork from the US is a decision that is consistent with our overall national interests and our strategic development goals. It is a decision that promotes Taiwan-US relations, satisfies food safety standards, and ensures that the incomes of pig farmers are not adversely affected. This marks an opportunity for Taiwan to move forward in engaging with the international community. We have made this decision and I hope that everyone can stand together with us to take this courageous step forward. Our nation will certainly stride toward a better future.

President Tsai Ing-wen, currently traveling overseas on her Journey of Freedom, Democracy, and Sustainability, inspected operations at a banana export collection center in St. Lucia on the afternoon of July 17 local time (early morning of July 18 Taipei time). The president took part in quality control operations alongside local farmers, affirming agricultural cooperation between Taiwan and St. Lucia through concrete action. After arriving at the export collection center, President Tsai first received a briefing from the head of the Taiwan Technical Mission in St. Lucia, Mr. Cheng Shih-lung (鄭仕隆), on the results of the Taiwan ICDF Banana Productivity Improvement Project in St. Lucia. Minister for Agriculture Ezechiel Joseph then delivered remarks in which he thanked the Taiwan government and technical mission for introducing new technologies to complement traditional domestic banana cultivation techniques and improve St. Lucia's agriculture. Prime Minister Allen Chastanet personally accompanied President Tsai to a banana inspection and quarantine area to hear a briefing from Minister Joseph on the center's quality control operations. The two leaders of state joined local farmers in quality control procedures by sealing and signing boxes. While posing for a group photo, the president staught the prime minister how to say "great job" in Taiwanese. Everyone enjoyed themselves in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Bananas are a key cash crop for St. Lucia, which is why Taiwan has carried out a Banana Black Sigatoka Disease Prevention and Treatment Project there since 2012. This project has effectively helped St. Lucia control black Sigatoka disease, and in 2019, a Banana Productivity Improvement Project was also launched in St. Lucia. Taiwan has much experience exporting bananas, and is tapping into that experience to help improve St. Lucia's banana cultivation infrastructure, control diseases and pests that affect bananas, enhance production management techniques, and provide guidance on how to obtain GLOBALG.A.P. certification. By increasing the export competitiveness of their bananas, St. Lucia became the only country in the eastern Caribbean that exports bananas to the United Kingdom and the European market. Before leaving the export collection center, President Tsai fielded questions from reporters. Asked about a recent op-ed in which former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called on Europe to defend democratic Taiwan, President Tsai stated that we are, of course, very grateful to international friends who care about democracy, freedom, and human rights in Taiwan, and speak out on our behalf. She expressed confidence that more and more people will take an interest in the development of democracy in Taiwan, as well as Taiwan's right to choose its own way of life and what kind of future it wants. We further hope, she said, that our citizens will value Taiwan's democracy and freedom, for we all bear a shared responsibility to pass freedom and democracy on to future generations. Commenting on Internet reports that the government donated more funds to Haiti's power grid than it did for dengue fever control in Taiwan, President Tsai pointed out that Taiwan's support for the Haitian power grid project was in the form of a loan, and it was a commercial loan. As for the Kaohsiung City Government's budget proposal for dengue fever control, the president stated: "Fifty million NT dollars is 50 million NT dollars. That 50 million didn't become just 20 million. We feel that someone has deliberately spread false information, so we've reported this matter to the police."

President Tsai Ing-wen's series of state visits under the "Oceans of Democracy" theme continued on the afternoon of March 25 as she attended the inauguration ceremony for the Taiwan Agriculture and Livestock Education Center in Nauru set up by the Taiwan Technical Mission. The president applauded the technical mission for bringing Taiwan's agricultural technologies to Nauru and achieving great things, and hopes to see our technical missions continue to share Taiwan's experience in food and agricultural education with our friends so we can develop and move forward together.    The inauguration ceremony kicked off with President Tsai and President Baron Waqa jointly announcing the official opening of the Taiwan Agriculture and Livestock Education Center. The technical mission leader, Lee Yi-long (李宜龍), then explained the mission's farm management concepts and results. In remarks, President Tsai said the inauguration of the Taiwan Agriculture and Livestock Education Center marked a new step forward in the cooperation between Taiwan and Nauru. She was very pleased to witness this important moment alongside President Waqa and our partners from the technical mission. President Tsai went on to say that Taiwan attaches great importance to food and agriculture education. In addition to launching extension projects, our government has also passed legislation on food and agriculture education. With the establishment of this center, she said, we can now share our food and agriculture education experience with our friends, allowing us to develop and move forward together. Looking ahead, President Tsai said this important work will depend on the efforts of colleagues from the Taiwan Technical Mission. Over the years, she said, they have achieved many successes by bringing Taiwanese agricultural technologies to Nauru. In addition to passing on farming skills, they have helped provide a more varied diet, improving people's health and deepening our nations' friendship. Before setting out on every state visit, President Tsai said, she has always told Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) that we must visit local Taiwan Technical Missions. And of course, those visits aren't just about listening to briefings. She always hopes to give mission colleagues—people on the diplomatic frontline—as much encouragement as she can. Last year, the president said, with the expertise and hard work of those at our Taiwan Technical Missions in mind, she asked Foreign Minister Wu to look into improving their benefits so we can take care of our colleagues, as well as ensure we can retain talent. Starting from last year, the president emphasized, the subsidies provided to technical mission personnel for housing and children's education have been brought into line with staff from other government units posted overseas, giving more support to those toiling far from home. President Tsai then noted that the technical mission leader, Lee Yi-long, and his girlfriend, Huang Mei-chun (黃美君), met while serving together on the technical mission, and that Mei-chun was also part of the delegation on this trip. The president noted that having just heard Mr. Lee's briefing, she got a very favorable impression of him, and since technical mission personnel are getting better benefits and higher salaries, the couple can really think about their future together. President Tsai then noted that every time she goes abroad, the achievements that stem from the hard work of the Taiwan Technical Missions always make a deep impression on her. On behalf of everyone from Taiwan, she thanked the technical mission personnel for their contributions. She also thanked President Waqa, as the Nauru government not only provides accommodation for those personnel, but also fully supports and assists our bilateral cooperation projects. President Tsai then emphasized that as Taiwan and Nauru take the next step forward together, she looks forward to seeing the cooperation between our two countries yielding even more new developments and accomplishments. President Tsai then inspected the Technical Mission's egg production and vegetable farm, and learned about their mushroom cultivation project. She then attended the graduation showcase for a women's cooking class, where she enjoyed afternoon tea with members of the mission. With President Tsai, President Waqa, and Foreign Minister Wu present as witnesses, Mission Leader Lee Yi-long proposed to Mei-chun. She accepted his proposal, and the warm and emotional moment garnered the well-wishes of all present. President Tsai then said that Yi-long and Mei-chun's story tells us that no matter the distance between Taiwan and Nauru, we are sure to create positive results, whether in diplomacy or marriage. Earlier in the day, President Tsai was accompanied to the Naoero Museum by Presidential Counsel Peter Jacob and Government Information Office and Naoero Museum Director Joanna Olsson. The president also offered encouragement to the volunteer orthopedics team from Taiwan's Taichung Veterans General Hospital, thanking them for their devotion to furthering medical cooperation between Taiwan and Nauru. Among those attending the event from Nauru were President Waqa and his wife, several cabinet ministers, and Nauru Ambassador to the ROC (Taiwan) Chitra Jeremiah. Representing Taiwan were Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥), other delegation members, and Ambassador to Nauru Chow Chin-fa (周進發).

In a recent interview via videoconference with The New York Times for its DealBook Summit, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Andrew Ross Sorkin on topics including Taiwan’s national defense, cross-strait relations, Taiwan-US relations, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the semiconductor industry. The interview was broadcast in the early morning of December 4. The DealBook Summit is a major annual event held by The New York Times aimed at facilitating dialogue among leaders from various sectors and sharing their insights and analyses on international affairs. This year’s summit was held on December 3 (US EST) in New York, and included such speakers as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Palantir CEO Alex Karp, and Turning Point USA CEO and Chair of the Board Erika Kirk. The following is the full text of the interview: Q: Here’s where I want to start the conversation. You’ve just announced this past week that you’re introducing a US$40 billion special budget for military spending to buy more weapons from the US to try to deter China from invading Taiwan. What indicators, and perhaps new indicators, are you looking at that shows an increased threat to Taiwan? President Lai: We can see that China’s military drills targeted at Taiwan are becoming increasingly frequent and intense. They have even moved beyond the first island chain into the second, affecting the wider Indo-Pacific region. At the same time, China’s united front influence campaigns against Taiwan are also becoming more serious. In order to safeguard national security and fulfill our responsibility to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, we have announced this special defense budget. We believe that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. While we aspire to peace, we cannot harbor illusions about it. Peace must be secured through strength. This is why we are increasing our defense budget and strengthening our national defense capabilities, while also cutting back our economic dependence on China. This includes improving our economic resilience. In 2010, 83.8 percent of Taiwan’s outbound investment went to China; last year, that figure had dropped to around 7 percent. We are also working side-by-side with other democracies to reinforce deterrence. Robust preparations are the best way to avoid war and achieve peace. Q: Let me ask you this: President Xi has said that his goal for China’s military is to be capable of taking Taiwan by force by 2027. You said that Beijing is accelerating these preparations for an attempted invasion. So what do you think China’s timeline is now? President Lai: We must ensure the best possible preparations for the worst-case scenarios. Whatever timeline the PLA may have, Taiwan’s fundamental principle is that we must be ready first – this is our basic principle. I also want to use this opportunity to reiterate to the international community that Taiwan will do everything necessary to protect itself and to safeguard regional peace and stability. We are grateful to the international community, including the G7, the president of the United States, Japan’s political leaders, and many others for their interest in cross-strait peace and emphasizing that stability in the Taiwan Strait is essential to global security and prosperity. Their shared position greatly contributes to stability in Taiwan and peace in the region. We hope Taiwan can continue working with the international community to uphold the rules-based international order. Q: Well, let me ask you about that because, Mr. President, last week you said the relationship between Taiwan and the US is rock-solid. How confident are you that the United States, and in particular President Trump, would come to the aid of Taiwan if China were to invade? President Lai: Although Taiwan and the United States do not have official diplomatic relations, Taiwan is deeply grateful to the US Congress for passing the Taiwan Relations Act and to President Ronald Reagan for the Six Assurances. For decades, successive US administrations and both parties in Congress have strongly supported Taiwan based on this foundation. Our relationship truly is rock-solid. Since President Trump took office, cooperation with Taiwan has not only continued but even expanded. We look forward to working with the United States through tariff negotiations – not only to help address their trade deficit, but also to deepen bilateral economic relations and strengthen our friendship. Q: We’ve all been watching what’s been happening play out in Ukraine between Ukraine and Russia. And there have been questions inside Ukraine about the support that the United States has provided or not in terms of how this ultimately gets settled. How do you view what’s happening in Ukraine right now and the role that the US is playing there? President Lai: Taiwan stands with the people of Ukraine. We hope this irrational and illegitimate war will be over as soon as possible so that the Ukrainian people will no longer have to suffer. However, in ending this war, we also hope that Ukraine’s national dignity and the well-being of its people will be respected, and future conflict will be prevented. Q: You talked about trade earlier. When you talk about the relationship between the US and Taiwan, one of the reasons that Taiwan is so valuable, such a strategic asset – and President Trump talks about it this way about Taiwan – is because of semiconductors. And one of the things that he says is that he hopes that the US is going to be manufacturing 40 to 50 percent of all semiconductors in the next couple of years with your help. Does that make Taiwan more valuable ultimately to the US or do you worry at all that it makes it less valuable to the US? President Lai: Taiwan’s semiconductor industry plays a crucial role, especially as we enter the future AI era. But I want to emphasize, with humility, that Taiwan’s semiconductor sector is a global asset. The industry functions as an ecosystem: the US excels in R&D, design, and has the world’s largest market; Japan provides materials and equipment; the Netherlands makes advanced lithography systems; Taiwan specializes in logic chip manufacturing; and Korea leads in flash memory chips. In other words, semiconductors are a global ecosystem – it requires worldwide cooperation to be effective. This is why our government supports TSMC and other Taiwanese semiconductor firms as they invest in the US, Japan, Europe, or wherever they believe is needed. This contributes to global progress and prosperity. As a result, we remain supportive as President Trump seeks investments from Taiwanese semiconductor companies and suppliers in the US. We hope Taiwan can support the reindustrialization of the US. President Trump wants the US to become the world center for AI, and we are willing to assist in this. As I said earlier, we hope Taiwan-US tariff negotiations will not only help reduce the US trade deficit, but also deepen bilateral economic cooperation, further integrate Taiwan’s industries with the American economic structure, and strengthen the Taiwan-US relationship. This will contribute to global prosperity and development. Q: Do you think that President Trump’s timeline, this idea that 40 to 50 percent of all semiconductors could be manufactured in the United States in the next two or three years, is realistic? President Lai: We understand President Trump’s sense of urgency; he wants the United States to maintain an edge in global competition. Whether this target of 40 to 50 percent can be achieved within this timeframe depends not only on Taiwan’s support but also on the US government’s ability to facilitate land acquisition, water and electricity supply, workforce and talent development, and investment incentives. If the US government manages to do this well and effectively, then this goal becomes much more achievable. Q: There’s a big debate in the United States right now about whether companies like Nvidia should be allowed to sell their most advanced chips to China. And there has not been a real answer yet here in the US. I’m curious what you think about that. Do you think that the most advanced chips should be allowed to be exported to China? President Lai: As Taiwan’s president, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on US domestic policy. But I can share an experience: Around the year 2000, Taiwan faced a similar debate about whether our advanced chip manufacturing capabilities should move to mainland China. There was an extensive and thorough discussion across society and among different political parties. The consensus was that it would be unwise and should not happen. Looking back, that decision was correct. Had Taiwan allowed its most advanced manufacturing to relocate to China, Taiwan would not be what it is today. Q: Final question for you. Your economy is red hot right now, in large part because of the AI boom. It’s a two-part question. I wonder whether you’re worried about an AI boom being an AI bubble. And I’m also curious how you think about the Chinese economy today and how that relates to how President Xi even views Taiwan, and when and if it would consider either invading or, through using the gray zone, trying to effectively cut off or control Taiwan. President Lai: There are many different views in the tech and economic communities. Some say AI could become a bubble; others say it may not. As a political leader, I believe the AI era will bring greater convenience to people’s lives, stimulate economic development, and contribute to global prosperity. That is why we must take steps to prevent AI from becoming a bubble. In other words, leaders around the world – especially those from countries with AI-related industries – should work together and take necessary measures to ensure AI develops sustainably and has a soft landing, so that it can drive long-term global growth. China’s economy is indeed struggling. Taiwan’s growth rate this year is projected to reach 7.37 percent, while international financial institutions estimate China’s growth to be only a little above 4 percent. We sincerely hope that as China faces economic pressures, President Xi Jinping will focus not on territorial expansion but on improving the well-being of the Chinese people. Taiwan is willing to help and to cooperate in addressing these economic challenges.